Chapter 1 Psychological Research and the Research Methods Course FPO for Cover Image The Psychologist as Detective: An Introduction to Conducting Research in Psychology Randolph A. Smith Stephen F. Davis Chapter 1 Psychological Research and the Research Methods Course © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Learning Objectives 1.1 Recognize different types of research methods used by psychologists 1.2 Describe the components of the research process 1.3 Enumerate the advantages of knowing how to apply research methods in psychology © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

How Psychologists Acquire Knowledge Objective 1.1 Recognize different types of research methods used by psychologists © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.1 How Psychologists Acquire Knowledge - Studies of behaviors - Research methods Point 1 – Studies of behaviors Animals People Point 2 – Research methods Question dependent Wide variety of methods Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Research Process Objective 1.2 Describe the components of the research process © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (1 of 11) Finding a Problem - Beginning of a project Finding a Problem Point 1 – Beginning of a project Example: Salary affecting dating (Driggers and Helms, 2000) Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (2 of 11) Reviewing the Literature - Explore research studies Reviewing the Literature Point 1 – Explore research studies Published Meetings May lead to modifications Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (3 of 11) Theoretical Considerations - Definition of theory - Two common properties Theoretical Considerations Point 1 – Definition of theory Formal statement of variable relationships Not based on guesses Point 2 – Two common properties Attempt to organize data Leads to new research Analogy of a road map Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (4 of 11) Hypothesis - Definition - Research or experimental hypothesis Hypothesis Point 1 – Definition Attempt to state specific relationships within a larger area or theory Multiple hypotheses for a research question Point 2 – Research or experimental hypothesis Predicted outcome Influenced by other hypotheses and theories Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (5 of 11) Research Plan - Research design Research Plan Point 1 – Research design Research design or experimental plan for study Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (6 of 11) Conducting the Research Project - Location Conducting the Research Project Point 1 – Location Laboratories Field Archives Etc. Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (7 of 11) Analysis of Research Findings - Analysis of data - Statistically significant Analysis of Research Findings Point 1 – Analysis of data Analysis dependent on methodology Statistics Point 2 – Statistically significant Not necessarily of practical importance Rarely by chance Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (8 of 11) Decisions in Terms of Past Research and Theory - Results interpretation - Generalizability Decisions in Terms of Past Research and Theory Point 1 – Results interpretation In terms of past research and theory Was hypothesis supported? Relationship to current theory Changes to theory Point 2 – Generalizability Extend results as widely as possible Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (9 of 11) Preparing the Research Report - APA formatting Preparing the Research Report Point 1 – APA formatting Standard format Publication Manual Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (10 of 11) Sharing Your Results: Presentation and Publication - Psychological conventions - Journal publication Sharing Your Results: Presentation and Publication Point 1 – Psychological conventions Poster Oral paper State and regional student conventions Psi Chi Point 2 – Journal publication Journal of Psychological Inquiry Psi Chi Journal of Undergraduate Research Include faculty advisor as coauthor Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.2 The Research Process (11 of 11) Finding a New Problem - New questions Finding a New Problem Point 1 – New questions New variables Other factors Different manipulations Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Why Is the Research Methods Course Important? Objective 1.3 Enumerate the advantages of knowing how to apply research methods in psychology © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

1.3 Why Is the Research Methods Course Important? - Assisting you in other psychology courses - Conducting an original research project - Conducting a research project after graduation - Getting into graduate school - Becoming a knowledgeable consumer of research Point 1 – Assisting you in other psychology courses Foundation of research Point 2 – Conducting an original research project Present project Point 3 – Conducting a research project after graduation Many careers require research Point 4 – Getting into graduate school Admissions requirement Point 5 – Becoming a knowledgeable consumer of research IQ, cola, media, etc. Copyright © 2016 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.